The studies on the distinctives between generational cultural nuances are in abundance. Beginning with the Builder generation, we have defined each group right up to the present Gen Z which populates our student ministries. Millennials are no longer students in our ministries, they are now the leaders of those ministries and the church. I mean this as a classification, not…
By climbing standards it may not be considered a real mountain but it is still called Mt. Severance. The elevation is a mere 1693’, the vertical ascent 813’ and the entire round trip only 2.4 miles. Climbing it does not count in any contest nor earn you status with any mountaineering club. However, when I lived in Schroon Lake, NY,…
If you have a younger sibling, you probably have heard these words at some point: “You are not the boss of me!” Your intentions might have been pure. You may have thought you were being protective. Instead, you were misunderstood and accused of being bossy. In order to help them you had to discover creative ways of leading them. Leaders…
Accountability, when properly utilized, is a powerful leadership principle. Leaders realize it can be used for control or instruction, encouragement or manipulation, legalism or leverage. Some have forsaken this practical principle, viewing it as unnecessary. Others have accepted a view of accountability as a legalistic tool for management. Accountability is not about legalistically controlling someone’s life but leveraging their strengths.…
My passion is to always be a student - to never stop learning or growing. One of my mentors once told me, Mike, It has been sound advice motivating me to this day. One of the ways I do this is to read numerous articles each week on a variety of topics. I read broadly and enjoy topics such as…
My passion is to always be a student - to never stop learning or growing. One of my mentors once told me, “Mike, It has been sound advice motivating me to this day. One of the ways I do this is to read numerous articles each week on a variety of topics. I read broadly and enjoy topics such as…
I have spent the last 40 years of my life studying leaders and leadership. My antennas are always up when I am around anyone in a leadership role. I watch leaders because I want to learn both the positive and negative characteristics of the function of leadership. During my life, I have connected with leaders from churches, youth ministries, organizations,…
I study people! I especially study people in leadership positions - and I have for over four decades of ministry. In that time, I have been privileged to know many incredible Christian leaders. I have seen some who’ve been thrusted into leadership positions and have watched as a few maneuvered themselves there. Like I said: I study people. One thing…
“It’s a children’s swing-set, how difficult can it be to assemble?” Two hours later I regretted uttering those words to my wife and was looking for the instructions. Swing-sets I discovered, although similar, come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. So, what about Discipleship? Are there a set of instructions to follow? Does a commitment to discipleship come…
NOTE: I first posted this in November 2016. In light of the recent UCF’s winning season, Shaquem’s outstanding performance in the Peach Bowl and Scott Foster’s new appointment as Head Coach at Nebraska, I thought it worthy of repeating. “Nobody makes you give up; you choose to give up!” I could not dismiss the quote I heard on ESPN Game…